The two leaders have met and shaken hands in the foyer of the hotel, in front of a row of US and Chinese flags.
Both leaders have now sat down and begun addressing each other.
This is some of what Xi said to Biden:
“Mr President it is good to see you. The last time we met was in Davos, more than five years ago. Since you assumed the presidency, we have maintained contact in online calls. But nothing can substitute face-to-face. And today we have this face-to-face meeting.
“We have gained experience but also learnt lessons. History is the best textbook so we should take history as a mirror.
“Currently the US-China relationship is in a situation and we care a lot about it… as leaders of the two major countries we need to chart the right course.
“We need to find the right direction for the bilateral relationship going forward and elevate the relationship.”
Some more from China’s President Xi now:
“The world expects the US and China to properly handle the relationship. For our meeting it has attracted world attention. We need to work with all countries to bring about world peace.
“In our meeting we need to have a candid exchange of views on issues of strategic importance… I look forward to working with you.”
In his own opening remarks just now, US President Joe Biden spoke of the importance of avoiding “conflict” between the US and China.
He agreed with his opposite number Xi Jinping that there was “little substitute” for face-to-face talks.
Biden said he was “committed to keeping the line of communications between us open” so that the two countries could “work together on urgent global issues” including climate change and insecurity.
The world “expects” the two nations to work in partnership, Biden added.
courtesy BBC
